Slide fastener



F. W. CLARKE Aug. 9, 1960 SLIDE FASTENER Filed March 19, 1957 INVENTOR. fkA/v/v W CQ/IRKE flfw n 0. a n m m G N 8 I I Q I i I t United States PatenfOfiicc Patented Aug. 9, 1960 SLIDE FASTENER Frank W. Clarke, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 19, 1957, Ser. No. 647,082

7 Claims. (Cl. 24-20513) This invention relates to slide fasteners, and more particularly to an improved interlocking fastener member or element therefor.

In the conventional slide fastener, the interlocking members or elements are provided with co -operating projections and recesses so that when the two opposed series of elements are engaged and disposed in interlocked relation, the projections of one series Will be disposed in the recesses of the opposite series. While a fastener element of such construction has proven to be satisfactory, the cost of manufacturing this recess and projection type of interlocking element is relatively high due to the frequent breakage of expensive punches and dies which are employed in their manufacture, and which are necessarily of delicate and precision construction in order to form the small intricate shapes. -In some methods of forming such constructions, additional expense is entailed in the finishing or burnishing operations to remove burrs and other irregularities. Also, in this construction, the elements disposed along the edge of the stringer tend to twist relative to one another thereby resulting in a fastener which was oftentimes difiicult to close in that the elements would not properly enter the slider channel.

The above mentioned disadvantages are overcome by the present invention which provides an improved construction of interlocking elements or members embodying an entirely new and novel interlocking principle. According to a feature of the present invention, instead of providing the conventional recess and projection type of interlocking element, the interlocking portion consists of three diverging finger-like portions which extend outwardly from the edge of the tape and interlock with the finger-like portions of the opposed series on the other tape.

$1ch construction of opposite diverging interlocking finger-like portions is conducive to lateral flexibility which is most desirable because the sloping surfaces of the coacting finger-like portions provide the required facility of movement, and at the same time, prevent disengagement. These interlocking elements or members are economical and convenient in their manufacture for the reason that they can be fabricated from flat metallic stock with practically no waste of material. The tools employed in forming such elements are simple in their construction and are not subjected to severe strain and excessive wear in the punching and forming operations, and hence may be used indefinitely without replacement. Also, the necessity of burnishing ,or other finishing operations is eliminated since the extreme simplicity of design enables the elements to be punched out and bent to shape without the formation of burrs or sharp edges thereon.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved interlocking fastener element or member which can be conveniently and eco- *nom ically manufactured, and at the same time, one which provides aneificient and effective fastener construction.

-It is another object of the invention to provide improved interlocking elements in which one element engages with the next succeeding element of the series along the edge of the stringer tape thereby preventing the elements from twisting on the tape relative to one another.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved interlocking fastener element which can be easily fabricated from flat metallic stock. with simple and inexpensive tools which are not subjected to excessive wear and strain and which will last indefinitely before the need of replacement.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a slide fastener constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the fastener elements of the invention,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a series of fastener elements in interlocked relation, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1, a slide fastener in accordance with my invention which consists generally, of a pair of stringer tapes 2 having a series of spaced-apart interlocking fastener elements 4 attached to the opposed beaded edges 5 thereof. There is mounted on the fastener elements 4 for longitudinal movement therealong, a slider 6 for engaging and disengaging the fastener elements in a well known manner. Such a slider consists generally of spaced upper and lower wings 7 having marginal flanges 9 and connected at one end by a neck portion 10 so as to define substantially a (-shaped channel 12 between the wings.

Each of the elements 4 consists of an attaching portion %15 having a pair of opposed leg or jaw portions 16, which are clamped to the beaded edges 5 of the tapes -2 and an interlocking head portion 17. According to the present invention, the head portion 17 of each of the elements 4 consists of a pair of finger-like portions 18 which extend outwardly from the attaching portion 15 beyond the beaded edge of the tape. These finger-like portions 18 are substantially parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another so as to provide an opening 19 therebetween. Also these finger-like portions 18 are arranged angularly to the attaching portion 15 to one side of the medial plane of the element. It will be noted that these finger-like portions 18 of the successive elements 4 are all disposed substantially parallel to one another and on opposite sides of the plane of the tapes and substantially parallel thereto.

There is also carried by the head portion of each of v each of the successive elements are likewise all disposed substantially parallel to one another substantially in the plane of the stringer tapes. Thus, it will also be noted that the pair of finger-like portions 18 are arranged in larly relative to the longitudinal edge of the stringer tapes.

When the fastener elementsare disposed in their disengaged position as well as their interlocked position, it will be seen that the finger-like portion 20 of one element on each of the tapes is disposed in the space 19 between the pair of finger-like portions 18 of the next succeeding element which is one of the most important aspects of the invention. By providing such an arrangement, it will be seen that the elements are prevented from twisting relative to one another so as to be maintained at all times substantially in longitudinal alignment with one another.

When the opposed elements are interlocked with one another as when the fastener is closed, as more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the fingenlike portion 20 of the element on one tape is disposed in the space 19 between the pair of fingerlike portions =18 of the opposed element on the other tape so as to prevent disengagement of the elements in a sidewise or transverse direction.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided a new and novel interlocking fastener element which not only interlocks with the opposed fastener elements along the edge of the opposed stringer but also interlocks with the adjacent or next succeeding fastener element on the same stringer so as to maintain the elements at all times in alignment with one another which is a decided advantage over other fasteners heretofore suggested and used.

While I have shown and described an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description, and that other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a slide fastener, a pair of stringer tapes having a series of spaced-apart interlocking fastener elements attached to the opposed edges thereof, each of said elements consisting of an attaching portion and an interlocking head portion, said head portion having a pair of identical spaced-apart, finger-like portions extending outwardly from the attaching portion beyond the edge of the tape to one side of the medial plane of the element and angularly relative thereto so as to provide a space therebetween, and another identical finger-like portion extending outwardly from the attaching portion beyond the edge of the tape to the opposite side of the medial plane of the element and angularly relative thereto and in a plane substantially parallel to said first mentioned fingerlike portions, said last mentioned finger-like portion disposed in a plane between said first mentioned finger-like portions and adapted to extend into the space between said pair of finger-like portions of the next succeeding element in the series positioned along the edge of the tape.

2. In a slide fastener, a pair of stringer tapes having a series of spaced-apart interlocking fastener elements attached to the opposed edges thereof, each of said elements consisting of an attaching portion and an interlocking head portion, said head portion having a pair of identical spaced-apart substantially parallel, finger-like portions extending outwardly from said attaching portion beyond the edge of the tape to one side of the medial plane of the element and angularly relative thereto so as to provide a space therebetween, and another identical finger-like portion extending outwardly from the attaching portion beyond the edge of the tape to the opposite side of the medial plane of the element and angularly relative thereto and in a plane substantially parallel to said .iirst mentioned finger-like portions, said last mentioned finger-like portion disposed in a plane between said first mentioned finger-like portions and adapted to .extend into thespace between saidpair of finger-like portions of the next succeeding element in the series positioned along the edge of the tape.

3. In a slide fastener, a pair of stringer tapes having a series of spaced-apart interlocking fastener elements attached to the opposed edges thereof, each of said elements consisting of an attaching portion and an interlocking head portion, said head portion having a pair of identical spaced-apart, substantially parallel finger-like portions extending outwardly from the attaching portion beyond the edge of the tape to one side of the medial plane of the element and angularly relative thereto so as to provide a space therebetween, and another identical finger-like portion extending outwardly from the attaching portion beyond the edge of the tape to theopposite side of the medial plane of the element and angularly relative thereto and in a plane substantially parallel to said first mentioned finger-like portions, said last mentioned finger-like portion disposed in a plane between said first mentioned finger-like portions and adapted to extend into the space between said pair of finger-like portions of the next succeeding element in the series positioned along'the edge of the tape, said first mentioned finger-like portions being substantially parallel to one another and said last mentioned finger-like portions also being substantially parallel to one another.

4. A slide fastener comprising a pair of stringer tapes having a series of interlocking fastener elements attached to the opposed edges thereof adapted to be progressively engaged and disengaged, each element having an attaching portion and a plurality of spaced-apart finger-likeportions extending in diverging relation at angles to the longitudinal edge of the stringer tape and in planes in and on opposite sides of and substantially parallel to the plane of the stringer tape all of said finger-like portions of the elements on one stringer tape adapted to interlock with the finger-like portions of the elements arranged along the edge of the opposite stringer tape, at least one of said finger-like portions extending into a space between the finger-like portions of the next succeeding element arranged along the same stringer tape so as to maintain the elements in alignment with one another.

5. A slide fastener comprising a pair of stringer tapes having a series of interlocking fastener elements attached to the opposed edges thereof adapted to be progressively engaged and disengaged, each element having an attaching portion and three identical finger-like portions extending outwardly from the attaching portion beyond the edge of the stringer tape, two of said finger-like portions being disposed in diverging relation to the other finger-like portion, said first mentioned two finger-like portions being spaced apart and disposed in planes on the opposite sides and substantially parallel to the plane of the stringer tape, said last mentioned finger-like portion being disposed substantially in the plane of the stringer tape, all of said finger-like portions of the elements on onestringer tape adapted to interlock with the finger-like portions of the elements arranged along the edge of the opposite stringer tape.

6. A slide fastener comprising a pair of stringer'tapes having a series of interlocking fastener elements attached .to the opposed edges thereof adapted to be progressively engaged and disengaged, each element having an attaching portion and three finger-like portions extending outwardly from the attaching portion beyond the edge of thestringer tape, two of said finger-likeportions disposed in diverging relation to the other finger-like portion, said first-mentioned two finger-like portions being spacedapart so as to provide a space therebetween and disposed in planes on the opposite sides and substantially parallel to the plane of the stringer tape, said last mentioned finger-like portion being disposed substantially in the plane of the stringer tape, all of said finger-like portions .of the elements on one stringer tape adapted to interlock with the finger like portions of the elements arranged along the edge of the opposite stringer tape, said ,ylast mentioned finger-like portion extending into the space between the two finger-like portions of the next succeeding element arranged along the same stringer tape so as to maintain the elements in alignment with one another.

7. In a slide fastener, a pair of stringer tapes having a series of spaced-apart interlocking fastener elements attached to the opposed edges thereof, each of said elements having an attaching portion and an interlocking head portion, said head portion comprising three fingerlike portions extending outwardly from the attaching portion beyond the edge of the stringer tape, the outer two finger-like portions being spaced-apart so as to provide a space therebetween and substantially parallel to one another and disposed in diverging relation to the other intermediate finger-like portion arranged therebetween, the finger-like portions of the elements on the respective stringer tapes adapted to interlock with the finger-like portions of the elements on the opposed stringer tape .with intermediate finger-like portions of the elements on one stringer tape disposed in the space between the two outer finger-like portions of an opposed element on the other stringer tape, all of said finger-like portions being of such length so that the intermediate finger-like portion of an element on one stringer tape extends into and through the space between the outer finger-like portions of an opposed element and into the space between the outer fingerlike portions of the next succeeding element on the same stringer tape when the fastener elements are disposed in interengaged relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,659,480 Carpmill Feb. 14, 1928 1,669,922 Anderegg May 15, 1928 1,673,323 Freysinger June 12, 1928 1,859,572 Poux May 24, 1932 2,157,828 Kuna May 9, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 502,364 Belgium Apr. '30, 1951 606,444 Germany Dec. 3, 1934 

